A Message from the President

September 29, 2006

To the Southern Miss Community:

Fall semester is not only our busiest time but a special time – one of new beginnings. Each fall we welcome new students into our Southern Miss family along with new staff and faculty to all of our campuses and teaching sites.

Enrollment rebounds: Freshman class increase

Bolstered by a nine percent increase in this year’s freshman class, fall enrollment is remarkable despite expectations of a two- to three-year recovery from Katrina. Preliminary enrollment numbers show a total university enrollment of 15,662, with 13,080 students at the Hattiesburg campus and 2,438 in programs across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In addition, 61 students are enrolled in Meridian and 83 are classified as other (study abroad, Tupelo).

The increase in freshmen is a big jump for us, especially in an environment where there has been so much Katrina-related disruption in the junior colleges and high schools from where many of our students come. There are 1,519 students in the 2006 freshman class, up 124 over 2005. Among this year’s freshman class is a record number of presidential scholars, 36 of whom hail from four states and one foreign country.

This year’s enrollment is within two percent of the numbers reported at the same time in 2005. Moreover, the 2005 numbers do not reflect a loss of about 1,000 students who dropped classes after the enrollment figures were reported. On the Gulf Coast, the enrollment recovery seems even more remarkable, given the fact that the university lost the use of an entire campus at Gulf Park in Long Beach.

The commitment, passion and loyalty from our faculty and staff in meeting student needs, as well as the university’s commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast, are huge factors in this recovery. This remarkable recovery would not be possible without the Katrina funds that have come as the result of our governor and congressional delegation. We wouldn’t be where we are today without these funds, and we thank these individuals for all for their efforts on our behalf.

Southern Miss received $27.5 million from the Katrina/Rita Relief Act spearheaded by the Mississippi Congressional delegation, led by U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran. Southern Miss also received $4.3 million from the Hurricane Katrina Foreign Contributions via the U.S. Department of Education and $7.5 million from the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror and Hurricane Recovery Act via the U.S. Department of Education. This was part of a $50 million package to assist institutions of higher education which suffered losses as a result of the 2005 Gulf of Mexico hurricanes.

Two 30-year anniversaries of note

It is important to acknowledge The University of Southern Mississippi Honors College in their 30th year. As the second oldest Honors College in the country, we want to salute Dr. Ken Panton and his outstanding faculty and staff for 30 years of academic excellence.
The Honors College is a jewel in our academic crown.

2006 also marks the 30th anniversary of the Southern Miss British Studies Program, the largest program in the nation operated by a university. Since 1976, Southern Miss has sent more than 10,000 students overseas for powerful learning experiences – academically, culturally and professionally. Congratulations to Susie Steen and her staff for their continued dedication to this academic treasure.

There is always good news happening at our university and we want to share some of the highlights with you:

#Southern Miss Student Wins Prestigious National Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship
When Wiggins, Miss., native Kelly Bond stepped onto the campus
of the University ofSouthern Mississippi as a freshman, she had but one desire – to become a dancer. That determination has resulted in Bond’s selection as the only Mississippirecipient of a 2006 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship, one of the most selective and generous academic awards offered in the United States. For 2006, 77 winners from 33 states and nine nations were chosen. The graduate study award carries up to $50,000 annually for up to six years. Read more of Kelly’s story here.

# Southern Miss Graduate Student Chosen Marine Science Knauss Fellow
University of Southern Mississippi graduate student Andrea Neu will soon put her academic training in marine science to use, not in the lab, but in Washington, D.C., working with a government agency on marine policy and regulations. Neu will complete a year-long stint in the nation’s capital as a recipient of a 2007 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. She is one of 46 Knauss fellows nationwide and the only Mississippi student selected for the nationally-competitive honor this year. Read more here about this accomplishment.

# Distinguished faculty join the School of Mass Communications
Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, Clarence Williams, a veteran photojournalist who won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography while he was working for the Los Angeles Times, will serve as distinguished visiting lecturer in photojournalism. Kurt Brautigam, who for the past eight years was manager of external communications for the Mississippi Power Company, will serve as distinguished visiting lecturer in public relations. Read more about these two new faculty of the University of Southern Mississippi School of Mass Communication and Journalism for the 2006-07 academic year.


# School of Nursing Awarded Diversity Grant
A near million dollar grant - $990,216 - recently awarded to The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Nursing is expected to increase education opportunities for African-Americans via a comprehensive program of retention activities, pre-entry preparation and student scholarship and stipends. Read the story on how these funds help prepare graduates to practice with culturally diverse populations in rural and underserved areas.

# Master Campus Facility Planning
The University of Southern Mississippi is undergoing master planning for our Hattiesburg campus. A collaborative process with community, alumni, faculty, staff and student participation, now is the time to update our facility plan as we prepare for needs over the next 10 years. See current information on our Web site.

Here are some other links of interest:
Work to date
Analysis and Charrette Summary Presentation

Come home at Homecoming 2006

On October 14 we invite you back to our beautiful campus to celebrate Homecoming 2006. As we suit up to meet Conference USA foe Houston at “The Rock”, enjoy reconnecting with friends, colleagues and family. We celebrate our alumni, academic and athletic traditions during this special fall time and I hope you come back to join in these traditions on campus. Check the Southern Miss Alumni Web site for upcoming events: www.southernmissalumni.com. Welcome home at Homecoming!

I am so proud of our university. I invite you to come on campus and feel the positive power of this fall semester. We have new facilities opened, new academic acclaim garnered by our outstanding student and faculty bodies, and a fresh energy as we hear “Southern Miss To The Top” echo across campus.

Sincerely,

Dr. Shelby F. Thames
President